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The Originals Season 5 Time Jump Could Create a New Spinoff

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5 Things to Watch Today – Aug.13, 2018

Creator Julie Plec shared the news on Twitter Thursday in an emotional letter to fans ahead of the show's panel at San Diego Comic-Con and one year after announcing the end ofThe Vampire Diaries.

"It feels only fitting to use this anniversary to make a second farewell announcement," Plec wrote."This year, we invite you to help us say goodbye to The Originals, which begins shooting its fifth and final season on Monday."

The Originals' fourth season ended with the Mikaelson family separating to keep the Hollow from ever possessing Hope again. When the series returns, it will make another dramatic time jump, this time moving forward approximately ten years to when Hope is now a teenager.

"It's both a gift and a burden to be able to control the ending of a series," Plec said. "Many shows are not lucky enough to have a hand in deciding when the end has come... Ending a show is always bittersweet, but for me, it's a true blessing to be a part of making that choice."

"I want each actor to play their last scene as their character, and to put their character to bed with grace and care," the creator continued. "For each craftsman to take a final walk on the sets they build, the lights they've hung. To choose the final song or score the final scene. To turn out the lights at the end of the day, knowing that they can take a moment to be proud of all that they've created, and to say goodbye before they walk out the door for the last time. And I want fans to be able to go along on that ride with us."

There have also been rumors of a potential Originals spin-off following Hope and her teenage adventures. And in her note to fans, Plec did leave the door open to exploring this world again down the line. "And know that in a show about an immortal family who believes in 'Always and Forever,' it's never really the end of the story..." she wrote.

The Originals' final season will premiere on the CW in 2018.

Photo: Bob Mahoney, Bob Mahoney/The CW

(Full disclosure: TV Guide is owned by CBS, one of the CW's parent companies.)